The Bitter Pill is a side quest that puts you on the trail of a traitor inside the Governor's inner circle. You unlock it by speaking with Doctor Galen after completing the main story quest 'I Need a Bigger Boat' and selecting the dialogue option "Is something troubling you, Doctor?" The recommended character level is 9, though you can attempt it earlier if you're comfortable with a tough fight. The quest runs parallel to the 'Revenge is Best Served Cold' main story quest for its opening section, so tackling both at the same time is efficient.
Full quest objective list
Before diving into each step, here's the complete sequence so you know what's coming:
| Step | Objective | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Infiltrate Richards' Camp | Coastal Jungle, southwest of Galen |
| 2 | Search Richards' Camp | Inside Richards' Camp |
| 3 | Discuss the letter with Doctor Galen | Doctor Galen's location |
| 4 | Find the gunpowder crates | Blackbeard Ruins Excavation Site |
| 5 | Talk to Doctor Galen | Doctor Galen's location |
| 6 | Find Francois Arnaud on Tortuga | Tortuga port |
| 7 | Rescue Jacques Arnaud from a pirate ship | Grim Reaper, near Tortuga |
| 8 | Tell Francois of his son's fate | Tortuga |
| 9 | Talk to Galen at the tavern | Tavern on Tortuga |
Start the quest with Galen
How to infiltrate Richards' Camp
This first objective overlaps with the 'Revenge is Best Served Cold' main quest. You need to collect four Black Marks hidden in chests throughout the Coastal Jungle before Richards' Camp will let you inside. Track down each chest using the quest markers. Expect Blackbeard Gunboats to attack during the sail over.
With all four Black Marks in hand, sail southwest to Richards' Camp. At the Hideout Entrance, interact with the door and pick "Show Black Marks" to get through.
Use Black Marks to enter
How to search Richards' Camp and find the letter
After you kill Thomas Richards, loot the chests in the room beyond him. You're looking for Francois Arnaud's Letter, addressed directly to Blackbeard. This letter is your first concrete evidence of the traitor. Grab it and fast-travel back to Doctor Galen to show him what you found.
Galen is rattled by what the letter implies but wants harder proof before making any accusations. That means tracking down the gunpowder crates the letter mentions.
Where to find the gunpowder crates
Head to the Blackbeard Ruins Excavation Site, located further southwest of Richards' Camp. Go to the northwest end of the ruins. The Gunpowder Crates are tucked into a corner next to a steel cage. The crates are stamped with the Arnaud Trading Company's insignia, which gives Galen the proof he needs.
Fast-travel back to Galen and tell him what you found. He'll ask you to sail to Tortuga and confront Francois directly.
How to find Francois Arnaud on Tortuga
Sail to Tortuga, which sits southeast of the Blackbeard Ruins Excavation Site. When you dock at the port, turn right at the first intersection. Francois Arnaud is standing there. The confrontation reveals the real story: his son Jacques has been captured by Edward Teach (Blackbeard), who is using the boy as leverage to force Francois into cooperating.
Francois will only cooperate with you if you rescue Jacques. Set sail from Tortuga to find the Grim Reaper, the pirate ship holding Jacques. It's positioned near the town with two Blackbeard Raider escort ships flanking it.
How to board the Grim Reaper and rescue Jacques Arnaud
Bring the Grim Reaper down to low health in naval combat, then board the ship. Head down to the lower deck to find Jacques Arnaud.
Here's the twist: Jacques reveals he staged his own kidnapping to earn Blackbeard's favor. His plan was to destroy his father's reputation, and your arrival ruined it. After the conversation, Jacques dies from his wounds.
What happens when you tell Francois about his son?
Return to Tortuga and speak with Francois Arnaud. You have two dialogue options here: tell him his son died in captivity, or reveal the full truth about Jacques' betrayal and how he died. Neither choice affects the quest's conclusion or its rewards.
Confront Francois at the port
Quest rewards: what do you get for completing The Bitter Pill?
After telling Francois the news, head into the tavern directly opposite him to speak with Doctor Galen one final time. Completing the quest earns:
- 100 XP
- Decoration: Books and Scrolls III
- 300 Silver Coins
- 15 Gold Coins
The XP and currency make this one of the better side quests to complete alongside the main story, especially at level 9 when the rewards matter most for progression.
For more Windrose quest walkthroughs and tips, browse the latest guides at GAMES.GG.
